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Acne is a dermatological issue consisting of pimples and cysts that usually appear on the face, and typically begins in adolescence. While it usually clears up in many people by the late teen years or early adulthood, for some people, acne can persist in to adult life. Acne most often bothers people because it affects how they look and therefore their self-image, but in addition, sometimes the pimples can itch or hurt (especially if you accidentally scratch one!).

Acne has a few different causes which, when combined, can cause some rather bad outbreaks of pimples.

When puberty begins, the body undergoes a change in hormone production. As the body produces more androgen, the oil glands beneath the skin become affected, especially on the face, neck, and back. These oil glands begin to produce more oil which reacts with bacteria on the skin and blocks the pores causing blackheads, pimples, and sometimes cysts.

There are many ways to try and help control acne breakouts. Some methods include:

– Avoid popping pimples – yes, it can be fun and satisfying, but popping pimples can actually get more germs and bacteria into the pores, and if you pop it wrong, you can force the oil deeper into the pore.

– Diet – taking a multivitamin can help make sure your skin gets all the nutrients it needs to look its best. There is some controversy regarding if greasy foods or things like chocolate affect acne… some people say yes, but there hasn’t been any conclusive proof that this is the case.

– Washing – regular cleaning of your face can help unclog pores and clear up blockages. Too much washing, however, can dry out the skin, which will cause the oil glands to produce even more oil to compensate.

– Face washes – some medicated treatments are specifically designed to help with acne.

If you want to go the face wash route, there are a few different kinds of acne treatments that you can buy at the local drug store. Most of them are either creams or medicated pads which you apply externally to the affected area. They are designed to dry excess oil and clean your pores.

There are also some prescription methods you can use, but in order to get these you will have to visit a doctor or dermatologist. Prescription acne treatments can be either external or internal, such as pills.

Remember that acne is affected by many factors, such as hormones, genetics, stress, and diet. You can’t control your genetics, but you can take measures to help your acne in the other ways.